Inspiring Rare Birds has received support from the Australian Government to provide funding for 100 mentoring scholarships to regional women business owners in traditionally under-served demographics.

Illawarra/Shoalhaven Rare Birds Global ambassador Lisa Burling, of LBPR, said the scholarships were open to women in the Illawarra and would provide high calibre mentors to help them grow their business and be successful entrepreneurs. She said it was something that will be spoken about at the next Inspiring Rare Birds event in Wollongong on July 4 at the Novotel.

The scholarships are funded under the Australian Government’s Women’s Leadership and Development Strategy and applications are sought in regional areas from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women; women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds including migrants and refugees, and women from low socio-economic backgrounds.

Inspiring Rare Birds founder Jo Burston welcomed the government’s commitment to increasing women’s participation in the economy. She said mentoring was a proven form of real-time learning through the transfer of know-how, experience and wisdom. “Engaging in a mentorship with an experienced mentor is an invaluable experience, where mentees receive qualitative and subjective counselling enabling them to better achieve their goals and better realise their potential”.

“This program is not only good for female entrepreneurs. It is good for the economy. By helping women to financially empower themselves through successful business ownership, they are generating greater economic prosperity for themselves and society. This helps grow regional economies and provides further opportunities for employment. The biggest impact mentoring has had for me is the doors that is has opened. I have met people and have done business with people I would never have met in my life.”

Ms Burling said the mentors in here life were like “the rudders at the back of a ship I am captaining”.

“Nobody else notices the important role they are playing in my professional and personal life, but I of course know they are there. My mentors ensure I can steer confidently in calm and rough seas, so everyone moves in the right direction, feels inspired, and ultimately works as a cohesive team to see the vision we have become a reality,” she said.